Despite a strong performance when they hosted the World Cup in 2018, Russia’s luck at the European Championships has been lacking in recent tournaments. They were knocked out in the group stages at both the 2016 and 2012 competitions, and with a difficult group this time too, they could end up making it three in a row.
Everything You Need to Know About Russia Ahead of Euro 2020
Who is the Russian National Team Coach?
Russia’s current boss is the man who led them at the 2018 World Cup, Stanislav Cherchesov. The 57-year-old was appointed in 2016, replacing Leonid Slutsky after their disappointing exit from Euro 2016 in a group containing England, Wales and Slovakia.
His management career has largely been spent in Russia, although his first two clubs, Kufstein and Wacker Tirol, were in Austria, and he spent the 2015/16 season with Legia Warsaw in Poland.
Cherchesov has taken charge of 54 matches as the manager of Russia, with a record of 23 wins, 13 draws and 18 losses, giving him a win percentage of 42.59%.
Who Has Been Selected in the Russia Squad for Euro 2020?
The usual stand-out names from previous tournaments have once again been selected for Russia.
Right-back Mario Fernandes, who impressed throughout the 2018 World Cup, is in, as well as Artem Dzyuba and Denis Cheryshev, who both stood out in Russia’s home tournament.
Dzyuba started all ten of Russia’s qualifying games and is seen as the focal point of this side.
GK – Yuri Dyupin (Rubin Kazan), Matvei Safonov (Krasnodar), Anton Shunin (Dinamo Moskva)
Defenders – Georgi Dzhikiya (Spartak Moskva), Igor Diveev (CSKA Moskva), Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit), Vyacheslav Karavaev (Zenit), Fedor Kudryashov (Antalyaspor), Andrei Semenov (Akhmat), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moskva)
Midfielders – Dmitri Barinov (Lokomotiv Moskva), Rifat Zhemaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moskva), Maksim Mukhin (CSKA Moskva), Aleksandr Golovin (Monaco), Daniil Fomin (Dinamo Moskva), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moskva), Alexei Ionov (Krasnodar), Daler Kuzyayev (Zenit), Andrei Mostovoy (Zenit), Magomed Ozdoev (Zenit), Denis Makarov (Rubin), Aleksei Miranchuk (Atalanta), Denis Cheryshev (Valencia)
Forwards – Artem Dzyuba (Zenit), Anton Zabolotny (CSKA Moskva), Aleksandr Sobolev (Spartak Moskva)
Re-Building Job Done After Successful World Cup
Russia’s unlikely success in 2018, making the quarter-finals when many expected that they wouldn’t even make it out of the group state, could lead some to expect more of them in this tournament.
While the bulk of that squad is still together, there has been a slight re-build in the three years since. Key players Igor Akinfeev, who was the captain for many years, as well as Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksandr Samedov, have all been moved away from the fold, all seemingly under the decision of Cherchesov.
The defence is also a slight worry for Russia. Since the start of 2020, they have conceded 18 goals in their 11 matches, keeping just two clean sheets in that time. A defence that has looked so solid in tournaments past is now leaking goals at a pretty alarming rate.
If they can get off to a good start, there’s no reason why Russia can’t finish second in the group (assuming Belgium top it), and even third could see them reach the knock-out stages as one of the four best third-place teams.
Group Stages
Russia face a tricky test in Group B of Euro 2020. They come up against Belgium, who are currently ranked number one in the world, as well as Denmark and tournament debutants Finland.
Belgium v Russia – June 12, 8pm
Finland v Russia – June 16, 2pm
Russia v Denmark – June 21, 8pm
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